Curriculum

The goal of our curriculum is to train students to become scientists thoroughly skilled in the experimental techniques of Development, Regeneration and Stem Cells (DRS) and to foster scientific growth and expertise in this fascinating and progressive field.

Courses Overview

Review the courses you will take during each term and each year.

First Year - Fall

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BSR 1006	Laboratory Rotation	4
BSR 1012	Biomedical Science	5
BSR 1010	Biostatistics	3
BSR 1003	Responsible Conduct of Research	1
BSR 1004	Introduction to Journal Club	1

First Year - Spring

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BSR 1007	Laboratory Rotation	4
BSR 1013	Biomedical Science	5
BSR 1005	Introduction to Journal Club II	3

Second Year - Fall

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BSR 8000	Independent Research	8
BSR 2300	Embryos, Genes and Development	3
BSR 5302	Department of CDRB and BFSCI Seminar Series	1
BSR 5301	Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Work in Progress	1
BSR 4301	Journal Club in Developmental and Stem Cell	1

Second Year - Spring

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BSR 8000	Independent Research	8
BSR 6301	Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology	3
BSR 5302	Department of CDRB and BFSCI Seminar	1
G 560	Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Work in Progress	1
BSR 4301	Journal Club in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology	1

Advanced Courses

Two advanced courses in developmental and stem cell biology are offered for DSCB students in the second year.

Embryos, Genes and, Development

Course Director: Florence Marlow

This course provides a thorough introduction to invertebrate and vertebrate development emphasizing cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms. The course will focus primarily on development of fruit flies, Xenopus, zebrafish, and mice. Emphasis will be on understanding fundamental embryological processes such as induction, determination, and pattern formation. Current technologies such as transgenic animals, genetics, mosaic analysis, homologous recombination, somatic cell genetics, and classical embryonic manipulations will be analyzed. Selected topics include developmental genetics of regulatory hierarchies, lateral inhibition, regeneration and development, cell lineage analysis, X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting, and sex determination. Following introductory lectures, the course will focus on primary literature detailing the current state of the field using journal club presentation (by students). Course exercises include student-led literature discussions; grant proposals, reviews, and study sections; a manuscript review-based editorial board session, and a science policy workshop session. The final exam will consist of grant proposals by the students to be reviewed by other students in a study section-type arrangement.

Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

Course Directors: Robert Krauss and Margaret Baron

Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology is an advanced course covering embryonic, induced pluripotent, and several different types of adult stem cells. The course combines lectures by several BFSCI and/or CDRB faculty who are experts in diverse stem cell fields and student presentations of the primary literature. In doing so, students will gain insight into the roles of various stem cell types in development, regeneration, and diseases; currently used techniques for analysis of stem cells; and both historical perspectives and current concepts in the field.

Program Requirements

DRS students must complete at least two rotations before choosing a preceptor from the DRS faculty. Students are required to choose a preceptor by the beginning of the second year. In addition to the DRS curriculum, students must pass a Thesis Proposal Exam by the end of the fourth semester as described in the Student Handbook.

As the thesis project approaches completion, students meet with their preceptors and advisory committees to decide whether suitable work has been completed to proceed with the preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense. If approval is granted, the preceptors guide students regarding the dissertation preparation and the presentation of thesis work in an open seminar-format, which is followed by a closed-format thesis defense.

Students are expected to participate in the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute Seminar Series. This series brings leading researchers to ISMMS to present their latest research. In addition to attending the seminars, students have the opportunity to meet with speakers as part of a student group.

Finally, DRS students may elect to attend and present their work in either the Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology Work in Progress series or the Black Family Stem Cell Institute Work in progress series. These forums provide students with opportunities to present their research to other DRS students and postdoctoral fellows. All DRS students are required to present in one of these Work in Progress series annually.